Care of our common home:
A Christian on the roads of ecologyKatowice, the theological faculty of the University of Silesia, November 30, 2018

Organisers:

The theological faculty of the University of Silesia

Catholic Church Fund in Germany Renovabis

For human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air, and its life – these are sins”. For “to commit a crime against the natural world is a sin against ourselves and a sin against God”

Pope Francis,
Laudato Si 8

IN THE HEART OF THE UPPER SILESIA

On the eve of the event that will be historic for our region - the 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) we wish to invite you for an interdisciplinary dialogue devoted to ecology. Our region brings into sharp focus numerous ecology-related issues. Rich in black coal and boasting a significant concentration of industry and population, for generations it has been marred with the negative effects of caring for our common home.

SHARED EFFORT

Much has been done lately to take care of our earth and its inhabitants. The voice of the Church plays an important role in this effort. The rich heritage of Christian spirituality […] - emphasizes Pope Francis - has a precious contribution to make to the renewal of humanity. (LS 216). Faith convictions can offer Christians […] ample motivation to care for nature and for the most vulnerable of their brothers and sisters. (LS 64).

Honorary patronage

His Eminence Archbishop Wiktor Skworc

Voivode of Silesia Jarosław Wieczorek

President of the University of Silesia Professor Andrzej Kowalczyk

President of the Board of Uppersilesian-Zaglebie Metropolis Kazimierz Karolczak

Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship Wojciech Saługa

Mayor of the City of Katowice Marcin Krupa

Agenda

8:00

Registration of guests and speakers

The organization office will be located in the main hall of the theological faculty of the University of Silesia

9:00

Official opening

- the Dean of the Theological Faculty
- A representative of the City of Katowice

9.15

Plenary session

A. Archbishop Wiktor Skworc: Testimony. The teaching of the Church in defence of man and the natural environment in Upper Silesia
B. A representative of Vatican: The Church involved in ecology: popes, the United Nations, international initiatives
C. Professor Jan Szyszko: The Paris Agreement as a chance for sustained development in the light of COP24 in Katowice.
D. Discussion and questions

The first panel session

Lunch

14:00

Specialised panels session

The first panel. The virtue of mercy: atmospheric pollution, smog.
The second panel. The virtue of prudence: coal, fossil fuels and other sources of heat and electricity
The third panel. The virtue of temperance: Earth that bears fruits. Trees, soil, water
The fourth panel. The virtue of justice: respect for individuals and objects, waste, "the culture of rejection"
Bilingual panels: ENG-POL. Each panel will have a discussion and questions

15:30

Conclusion

16:00

Silesian ethos: A coal mine in the service of ecology. A guided tour of the Luiza adit in Zabrze.